Discover vibrant Woodford Manor community activities from January 2026, including our Maggie Beer Foundation success, inaugural buffet breakfast, Australia Day celebrations and creative programs.
January 2026 brought warmth, connection and celebration to Woodford Manor, proving that the start of a new year is best shared with good company, delicious food and plenty of laughter.
Our commitment to exceptional dining experiences reached new heights this month. For the past year, Woodford Manor has been participating in the Maggie Beer Foundation Trainer Mentor Program, and the results have been truly transformative. Head Chef Beck and our talented kitchen team have learnt to build layers of flavour, increase protein in every portion, and master plating techniques that visually entice our residents.
We're incredibly grateful for the guidance of our mentor, Emma Lillie, who has become a lifelong friend to our kitchen team. The program has given us access to delicious recipes tailored to aged care needs and created opportunities to showcase the skills we've developed throughout the year. Thank you to the Maggie Beer Foundation for this invaluable opportunity – we're proud of what we've achieved together.
One of January's standout moments was our inaugural buffet breakfast, which proved to be a resounding success. The tables were beautifully set, the food options were outstanding, and the attendance was excellent. The morning became even more special when a resident delivered a heartfelt speech thanking the kitchen and staff for their hard work, bringing the room together in appreciative applause. These are the moments that remind us why we're proud to work here at Woodford Manor. The buffet will now be held every five weeks, offering regular opportunities for socialisation and dining excellence.
We came together as a community for Australia Day celebrations that captured the true spirit of mateship and fun. The team enjoyed lamingtons for morning tea, tried their hand at beer shooting, and participated in the entertaining dunny toss game. Laughter filled the air as everyone joined in, and Terry was the fortunate winner of the lucky door prize. It was a day that brought smiles all around.
This year, we're embarking on an exciting journey – a monthly excursion to a new global destination, complete with local cuisine for morning tea. Our first stop? Paris! Resident Kevin expressed his desire to visit the City of Light and indulge in French delicacies, so our kitchen team delivered exquisite danishes that transported us straight to a Parisian café. Each month, a different resident chooses our destination, and Terry has already selected our next adventure: America, renowned for its diverse culinary offerings. We can't wait to see where our travels take us throughout 2026.
The creativity at Woodford Manor community activities continues to flourish. We enjoyed a fantastic game day with laughter echoing across the facility, bringing residents together for friendly competition and connection. Betty, our talented diamond dot crafter, is now venturing into new artistic territory. Her door hangings for resident rooms and wind chimes have been well received, and we have more initiatives in the pipeline. Betty has even taken on an ambitious project centred around a kookaburra – we're excited to see the finished result.
As we welcomed January, we also took time to reflect on the memories from December. Our December recap video captured the cosy moments, festive celebrations, and the beauty and laughter that made the month special. From the little details to the grand celebrations, it's these memories made and moments cherished that define life at Woodford Manor.
As we bid farewell to January and welcome February, we're already planning more opportunities for connection, creativity and celebration. The energy and engagement from this month have set a wonderful tone for the year ahead, and we're grateful to share this journey with our residents, their families and our dedicated team.
At Woodford Manor, every day brings new chances to connect, create and celebrate together. That's what makes this place truly special.
Send us a message and one of our friendly team will be in touch.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
